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Quad to Classroom blue logo

HBCU alum featured left to right: Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Toni Morrison, Thurgood Marshall

Introducing Quad to Classroom:

Celebrating HBCU Grads Teaching in America's Classrooms

Since their inception in 1837 (Cheyney University of Pennsylvania), HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have vitally shaped Black leaders, educators, and innovators. These institutions are more than schools—they are beacons of resilience, culture, and community, fostering environments where students can thrive academically and personally. Today, HBCUs continue to play a pivotal role in opportunity gaps in education, promoting racial equity, and advancing social justice by nurturing students in an environment that champions diversity, community, and a shared history of resilience. Together, let's uplift HBCU Alumni educators.

SUPPORT AN HBCU ALUM
Photo of Ms. Cannella’s students
Photo of Ms. Cannella’s students

Ms. Cannella’s classroom

Photo of Ms. Cannella’s students

From our staff

Photo of Geoff Hill, CFO of DonorsChoose

“At Howard, there was a group for every interest, every individual. We were young, black and gifted, and we were not the exception but the rule - thousands of us.”

Monique Canada
SVP Marketing, Howard University

“I truly came into myself during my four years at Morehouse. Never before had there been a school environment where I felt more empowered, appreciated, or seen. So much of my success today is the result of being immersed in that environment for four years at a critical time in my life, and I would do it again 100 times.”

Geoff Hill
CFO, Morehouse College

Photo of Monique Canada, SVP Marketing of DonorsChoose

Research shows that HBCU alumni are of the nation’s most engaged teachers, replicating the affirming K-12 classroom environments that nurtured them at their beloved HBCU.

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2021 DonorsChoose Study

“In a typical week, outside of typical class time, how many hours do you spend on mentoring students?”

“In a typical week, outside of typical class time, how many students do you let socialize in your classroom (e.g. during lunch, study periods, etc.)?

5.3

HBCU grad teachers

4.3

Black non-HBCU grad teachers

18

HBCU grad teachers

11

Black non-HBCU grad teachers

Photo of Dr. Michael Lomax, CEO of United Negro College Fund

“This study reveals that HBCU graduates, specifically Black male graduates, are replicating in the classroom the caring and nurturing environment they experienced while attending an HBCU that has been so affirming to them and countless research studies show the positive effects Black teachers have on the development of their students.”

Dr. Michael Lomax
CEO of United Negro College Fund

A history of leadership, a story of progress

Photo of Howard University students in D.C., 1946

Students on string instruments, Howard University in D.C., 1946 Alfred Eisenstadt, Getty Images

Photo Kristina Joye Lyles, DonorsChoose's SVP Equity & Impact and her sisters at Spelman College

Kristina Joye Lyles, SVP Equity & Impact (center) and her sisters at Spelman College

Photo Dr. William Hayes, CEO of Boys' Latin of Philadelphia and Morehouse College alum

Dr. William Hayes, CEO of Boys' Latin of Philadelphia and Morehouse College Alum

Photo of Student Rally, Morehouse in Atlanta, 1960 Donald Uhrbrock

Student Rally, Morehouse in Atlanta, 1960 Donald Uhrbrock, Getty Images

Partner with us to
uplift hbcu teachers

Our collaborators and supporters:

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Want to learn more about partnering with us? Click here.

Want to support talented HBCU alumni teachers in our classrooms?

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Check out our Top 3 HBCUs with the most funded teachers on DonorsChoose. Is your alma matter on our leaderboard?

• Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University • Jackson State University

Howard university

Howard university

Howard university

Howard university

Howard university

Howard university

Howard university

Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University

Quad to Classroom logo

This crest was created and inspired by the designs of Leo Brooks, an artist, designer, and graduate of Howard University and Parsons School of design.


If you see this crest on our site or a small teal tag titled “HBCU ALUM,” that means you’re supporting an HBCU alumni educator!

Supporting teachers and students since 2000

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.

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